Australian farmers call for country of origin labelling review amid cheap import concerns

Dr Courtney Stewart was featured in ABC News providing expert commentary on growing calls from Australian farmers for a review of the country of origin labelling (CoOL) framework, as the sector grapples with pressure from cheaper imported products.

The article examined concerns that the current CoOL standard – introduced to give consumers clear information about where their food is grown, produced, made or packed – may not be going far enough to support local producers competing against imported alternatives. Courtney provided regulatory insight into how the Australian system works in practice, including the difference between products labelled “Product of Australia,” “Made in Australia,” and those carrying the standard kangaroo logo with bar chart indicating the proportion of Australian ingredients.

Addressing the farmers’ concerns, Courtney unpacked the regulatory levers available for strengthening the framework and the trade-offs policymakers must weigh between supporting domestic industry, maintaining alignment with international obligations, and ensuring consumers have clear, meaningful information at the point of purchase.

She also addressed the gap between what consumers think country of origin labels tell them and what the labels are actually designed to communicate – a recurring theme in regulatory reviews of the standard.

This feature highlights Courtney’s expertise in food labelling law, regulatory frameworks and the intersection between consumer perception, policy and industry practice – providing clear, evidence-based analysis on an issue with significant implications for Australian producers and consumers alike.

Read the full article here.

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